Friday, 3 January 2014

Cape Horn and the Beagle Channel

An overcast sky greeted us today and the seas continued to
be calm to moderate. Our smooth and easy ride continued toward Cape Horn.

This morning we had a discussion of Climate Change. This was
not a formal full-blown lecture, just a few slides to warm us up for an
interactive discussion session. The staff and passengers from several different
nations contributed their observations on the changing climate and we discussed
possible strategies for solutions or at least minimizing the effects and the rate
of change.

By 1400 we were close enough to Cape
Horn for us to see the bluffs and the buildings and the outline of
the storied sculpture. The top of the monument has a vertical cut-out of a
soaring Albatross separating the halves of the stainless steel diamond shaped sculpture.

While we were too far from the site to read the poem below
the sculpture, here is the text:

“I am the Albatross that waits for you at the end of the
earth.

I am the forgotten
soul of the dead sailors who crossed Cape Horn
from all of the seas of

of the world.

But they did not die
in the furious waves.

Today they fly in my
wings to eternity in the last trough of the Antarctic winds.”

- Sara
Vial

Tonight we rendezvous in Beagle Channel off the
Argentine coastal station where we will pick up a pilot who will guide the FRAM
to Ushuaia. We expect to be at the dock 0800. Then we must say good-bye
to our fellow travelers and the FRAM staff that begin the next step in their homeward journey.

MV FRAM is the most modern expedition cruise vessel belonging to the Hurtigrutenfleet, roaming polar waters and taking people to remote places where only few go. In order to give you the chance to travel with us, even if only on your computer screen, we have created this blog. Here you can see what we have seen and read what we have done.

MV FRAM's voyage is followed by

About

The expedition team consists of lecturers and guides from various fields and backgrounds such as ornithology, mammalogy, history, and geology, ready to tackle all your questions. Together with the fabulous Fram officers and crew we make your time on board REALLY worthwhile!